By Pepper Fisher
PORT ANGELES – Clallam County, along with the cities of Port Angeles and Sequim, have proposed entering into an agreement to share the cost of storing derelict RVs on what would be a new junk vehicle facility owned by Evergreen Collision Centers.
The three parties have discussed paying $10,000 each for a 10-year deal to store impounded vehicles safely and securely on 5 acres of undeveloped land next to Evergreen’s Alpine Auto on Dry Creek Road.
It would be a welcome solution to a big problem throughout the county. Port Angeles Police Chief Brian Smith says every day, there are impoundable RVs and trailers on our streets that are left where they are because there is no place to store them. He says not all of them are abandoned, but they all need to be housed somewhere until someone comes to claim them.
“It depends on the legal status of the vehicle. Some vehicles aren’t junk vehicles. Let’s say they’re blocking a right of way or illegally parked. We’re moving them and storing them for the owner. The other category is like a junk RV or trailer that’s actually legally…you know… junk is a legal term, and that vehicle is something that is going to get dismantled. Because, when we remove it as a junk vehicle, it’s under the state law. We’re actually turning the ownership of the vehicle over to the towing company.”
Smith says his department has an agreement with the Clallam County Chain Gang to have junk RVs dismantled and disposed of, but the lack of an appropriate place to do that has been an issue.
Evergreen Collision’s Dave Anstett told KONP that they will apply for the necessary permitting to develop the site with fencing and other improvements when a contract is signed.
This is a developing story, and we expect to have more on this when we hear back from Sequim and Clallam County officials with their thoughts on the proposal and where the money to pay for it might come from.
As for the Port Angeles Police Department, they’re unequivocal on the matter. Deputy Chief Jason Viada had this to say about the proposed $10,000, 10-year price tag.
“This is a problem that the community wants solved. It’s certainly a problem that the police department wants to help the community solve. And the price tag might sound high or low, depending on who you are or how this situation is affecting you. But, you know, if you live in the city and one of those things gets abandoned right in front of your house, with black water and grey water and rodent problems and other problems, that price is going to sound very reasonable to you.”